Run For The Border

Although it might have been fun to "run for the border" and end up with Taco Bell's latest and greatest producer of stomach troubles, the Chance family and I made a REAL run for the border ... within a couple miles of Mexico.

It started off nicely enough heading to the little town of Arivaca.  At the turnoff Dan stopped the BAT for a quick picture of the Longhorn Grill in the little town of Amado.  Here's a tidbit ... everyone remember Gordon McRae singing "Oh What A Beautiful Morning" in the musical Oklahoma?  It was filmed right here!  Who knew???

Although abandoned for many years after being a restaurant, a bait shop and a roofing company, it is now up and running again as a restaurant.  They say the food is great.

We did pass a few natives along the road to Arivaca.  History dates back to 1695 when Tohono O'odham Indians lived here.  After the Indians abandoned the area, a Mexican Land Grant was approved and it became La Aribac Ranch.  That was later disallowed, so in 1856 Charles Poston bought up most of the area for mining. 

In 1879 freighter and rancher Pedro Aguirre built a stage stop and the historic Arivaca Schoolhouse, the oldest standing school building in Arizona.  That's it way over there .... somewhere ... we never did see it.

As we drove through, we saw a mercantile building and a beautiful church, but didn't stop.  We were on a mission.

Here's where we were heading ... to the big little town of Ruby.  You can tell by this topographical map that there are lots of mountains around.  See any roads?  No .... well that's because there is only one narrow dirt road the entire 35 miles we drove.

If you have a Jeep, this is the perfect road to take you to Pena Blanca Lake at 10 mph.  As we drove along, I was thinking about last year when I looked this up as a quick trip I would take.  Believe me, it's no quick trip, but exciting none the less.

I'm a sucker for old windmills, since that was the only way we got water to our cattle on the ranch.  

When I saw THIS windmill I was pretty sure it wasn't finding water.  Back in 2009, Project 28 came into being with the U.S. and Boeing using technology, radar and cameras, to locate drug smugglers and migrants coming across the border.  Eventually most of those stations were moved further away.

In 2009 a man and his daughter were murdered in a home invasion robbery by right wing militia.  Needless to say, they all went to prison.  By 2014, a U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint was set up in town.  That caused even more friction with charges of unlawful restriction towards photographers and protestors. It became quite the hot spot.

To add fuel to the fire, in 2018 a border patrol agent was wounded in a shootout with Mexican smugglers.  Although shot in one hand and one leg, not to mention several in his bullet proof vest, he was able to escape with his life.  Arivaca has since become heavily militarized.

Now I'm thinking maybe I didn't really want to go see Ruby after all.  This is pretty dangerous territory.  

The country is beautiful with rolling green hills and mountains in the distance.  Surprisingly there are many springs coming out of the mountains, some of which we crossed over six times as we wound around the foothills.

With only four miles to go, we headed on down the road, getting narrower all the while.  Funny thing, we are out in the middle of nowhere, crossing cattle guard after cattle guard, all with signs that said "bicyclists cross with caution".  Who in the world would be out here on a bicycle??

Now it's getting to be a serious adventure.  Smuggling and illegal immigration may be encountered.  I'm just waiting for someone to ambush us!!!  Seriously, I thought I would drive down here myself?  

We spotted the first car with two chairs sitting out, but no person in sight.  That's weird.  They must be having a picnic.  It's such a beautiful area.  

Instead of staying on the main dirt road, Dan turned off on a hill-climbing even narrower section that went straight up the mountain.  It's an adventure, right?

Shortly thereafter, we drove by THIS guy.  I don't think he was picnicking.  There's a pair of binoculars on the dash as I snapped his picture.  Wait ... this must be part of the militia that watches for drug smugglers.  We're going to die, I just know it!!!

Not really, but I was surprised to see so much traffic around here.  I mean really, this is WAY out in the boon toolies where there shouldn't be anyone but drug smugglers.  In all, we saw three vehicles at different times and locations.  It all became clear when we drove by all three parked together at an overlook.  Wait ... how did they get ahead of us?  Bet they were wondering what the heck WE were doing!!

At long last, I think it was about two hours driving on the dirt road, we arrived at Ruby Arizona. 

Ruby still has lots of buildings standing, but they are not in very good shape.  By the way, this is ALL on private property.  Check it out on the internet if you wish to visit.  If you want to live here and be the caretaker for the winter, just give them a call.  The current caretaker is leaving, no surprise.  

I've still got lots of photos to download, so I'll give you the grand tour tomorrow!!

By the way, we finally made it safe and sound (as evidenced by this blog) after 5 hours of rough gravel road!  Woohoo!!